The battle lasted until evening.

In the afternoon, the guards sent a carrier-based aircraft to tell Bai Zhizhan that he had arranged for reconnaissance aircraft to expand the search range in the east and west, but still did not find the Newland fleet, so it was determined that the Newland fleet was not nearby and there was no need to worry about being attacked suddenly.

To this end, after 3 pm, Bai Zhizhan ordered a fourth wave of attack on the transit island.

After four concentrated bombings, the 21st Special Mixed Fleet completely destroyed the airports and docks on the transit island at a slight cost of losing only 22 carrier-based aircraft.

According to Zhou Yongtao, the next step is to block the transit island and wait for the fire support fleet to arrive.

As for the operation to land on the transit island, it has little to do with the 21st special fleet.

Of course, blocking the transit island is not an easy task.

The key is that information has already mentioned that in the past few days, the Newland Navy has deployed aviation and speedboats on several islands east of the transit island.

With only one special-mix fleet dispatched, it is impossible to attack several islands at the same time.

In this way, the Newland Navy can use speedboats and aircraft deployed on the eastern island to transport troops and supplies to the transit island at night.

The carrier-based aviation force has no combat capability at night, cannot deal with speedboats flying on the sea, nor can it intercept patrol aircraft flying at ultra-low altitudes.

As for sending warships to block the transit island, it is not yet considered in Baizhizhan.

The reason is also very simple, this is not in the plan!

If you want to say, you didn’t encounter the Newland Fleet, and you didn’t even find any signs of the Newland Fleet, which surprised Bai Zhizhan.

During dinner, Bai Zhizhan emphasized this matter.

Although he was very worried, even Bai Zhizhan had to admit that no matter where the Newland fleet was, he had to continue to act as planned.

The battle went so smoothly that there was no reason to adjust the combat plan.

Even if Bai Zhizhan was very worried, he could only be vigilant, strengthen search and patrol, and keep the 22nd Special Mixed Fleet in a concealed state.

In fact, the 22nd Special Mixed Fleet is the key.

In Zhou Yongtao's words, after the daytime battle, the Newland Navy could definitely determine that the attack on the transfer island was a special mixed fleet, carrying carrier-based aircraft carried by two aircraft carriers, which is likely to be the key reason why the Newland Navy did not send a fleet to participate in the war.

Since that's the case, then attack the Transit Island as planned.

Anyway, it only takes a special mixed fleet to complete the preparations before landing.

Bai Zhizhan did not object to this.

However, the combat operation was not as smooth as expected.

That night, a PBY appeared near the 21st Special Mixed Fleet, but no warships were found that were subject to strict light control.

The next morning, at about 9 o'clock, a B-17 approached the 21st special mixed fleet, but was intercepted by fighter jets more than 100 kilometers away.

About 4 hours later, Newland Airlines bombers arrived.

All of them are four-engine heavy bombers, divided into three groups, with a total of more than 100 aircraft.

Judging from the arrival time, these bombers are from islands east of the archipelago, and there is no problem of insufficient combat radius of heavy bombers.

There are some long-range fighter escorts, but the number is not large.

The ocean-going cruiser that was leaving the front discovered the bomber group in time and also called on air defense fighters in time.

The battle started around 1:30 pm and ended after 2 o'clock.

The 21st Special Mixed Fleet dispatched more than 40 air defense fighters, successfully intercepted enemy aircraft, and shot down 27 bombers and more than 10 escort fighters.

The key is that even in the end, no Newland bomber flew over the 21st Special Mix Fleet.

In addition to the large number of air defense fighters and the pilots are brave in combat, the ocean cruisers that are able to successfully intercept incoming enemy aircraft, have also made great contributions.

The entire battle was commanded by ocean cruisers.

Under the dispatch and command of two ocean-going cruisers, the combat effectiveness of the air defense fighter jets reached its limit, and no enemy aircraft could break through the outer air defense circle.

This battle fully proved the importance of command and allowed the Imperial Navy to find the way to air defense operations.

It was after this battle that the "air defense alert ship" became the standard for the special mixed fleet.

However, light cruisers equipped with air search radars are mainly responsible for air defense alert tasks, and ocean cruisers have not gained favor.

The reason is that the Imperial Navy has built more than 100 light cruisers, so it has to be used.

To be honest, the losses were a little bigger. 11 "Xiaotian" were shot down, and 7 were scrapped due to serious damage.

It must be said that the self-defense firepower of heavy bombers is by no means blown out!

The Imperial Navy has long known about this.

On the continental battlefield, heavy bombers of the Imperial Army Strategic Aviation Corps often perform bombing missions without cover from fighter jets.

Usually, only a dense formation is needed, and bombers can cover each other with self-defense firepower.

There is no good tactic to deal with heavy bombers in dense formations. All they need is more fighter jets, faster speeds and stronger firepower.

It was during this battle that the Imperial Navy's carrier-based fighter jets shot down heavy bombers with rockets for the first time.

As for the losses suffered, the 21st Special Mixed Fleet was prepared for it.

The two large aircraft carriers have enough spare aircraft, most of which are fighter aircraft, and they are hung in the hangar in a decomposed state.

It can be assembled in just a few hours.

The biggest impact of this battle was actually disrupting the rhythm of the 21st Special Mixed Fleet, or disrupting the afternoon bombing operation.

According to the original arrangement, the seaplane dock on the transit island will be focused on bombing the afternoon.

The reason is very simple. The PBY that approached the 21st Special Mixed Fleet last night came from the transit island, and at least flew back to the transit island when it returned.

In addition, during the morning bombing, the reconnaissance planes carrying out the screening mission also discovered that the Newland army had managed to repair a runway and was working hard to repair the dock, as if they were preparing to use the transit island as a springboard and dispatch torpedo boats at night to launch an attack on the 21st special mixed fleet.

To be honest, the Newland Navy's torpedo boats must rely on the transit island to attack the 21st special mixed fleet located in the northwest of the transit island.

Not only is the limited range of torpedo speedboats, but it is also related to the attack distance and attack time.

To put it bluntly, if these torpedo boats with speeds exceeding 40 knots have to launch an assault at night, they must shorten the assault distance to within 650 kilometers.

As long as you exceed this distance, you will definitely not be able to reach it at night.

It is best to shorten to less than 500 kilometers and leave two hours to fight.

As for the return flight, it is obviously not within consideration.

In the Newland Navy, torpedo boats are consuming weapons, and no one expects these speedboats with only a few dozen tons to survive the fierce battle.

Being able to launch an attack before being sunk, or launch the torpedo on board, is already a victory!

The key is that in night battles, torpedo boats with fast speed and small tonnage are highly concealed and can often launch attacks unexpectedly.
Chapter completed!